BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - JUNIOR MINISTER in the Ministry of Health, the Hon. Wendy Phipps has disclosed that after a period of neglect by the previous administration, renovation work on the Mary Charles Hospital in Molineaux is progressing smoothly.
The Minister made this disclosure during yesterday’s (Mar. 23) sitting of the National Assembly where she gave an update on the work being carried out at the health facility.
She explained that the project began in January 2016 following a contact inked between contractor Keith James and the Public Works Department to the tune of $324,102.
“The contractor began his portion of the work on February 1st with an expected completion date of April 30, which is some 30 days later than expected given the magnitude of repairs,” she said.
The Minister pointed out some of the severe renovation works that need to be completed at the health institution include corrections to the female wing of the hospital that collapsed several weeks ago.
“The scope of work is inclusive of the following: Instillation of 110 volts of electricity in various areas of the hospital which was previously wired for 220 current; repairs to the leaking roofs and the ceiling; and I must add here that several months ago an entire section of the female ward had fallen out, and luckily there was no patient at the time in that section.
“Fencing of the compound; tiling of the bathroom and replacement of the linoleum floors throughout; removal and replacement of glass windows and nurses station; expansion of the emergency room; installation of new toilets and face basin; repainting of the entire hospital; instillation of new cabinetry in the casualty room and the kitchen; replacement of all doors and locks; creation of a conference room downstairs; and the casting of a new walkway to pharmacy and the conference room; and creation of additional parking.”
She noted that termite treatment was also done on the damaged sections of the roof, adding that ambulatory services would also return to the facility when completed.
To this end, Phipps disclosed that in its initial phase, the Public Works Department had estimated the project to cost $635,000. However, with support from some private sector partners, which she highly commended, the Minister indicated that the government would not be burdened with that cost in certain areas.
“Private sector partners such as Ross University and Windsor Medical School have stepped forward to assist with furnishings and equipment that would be needed post renovation. And the expected list to be provided by these partners includes refrigerators, four computers, trolleys, hospital beds and other furnishings such as tables…”
Minister Phipps expressed the government’s gratitude for the support it received and continues to receive from the private sector partners in this project and other initiatives.
